TOKYO: The Japanese government’s growth strategy has targeted 10,000 tax-free shops in 2020. Japan has successfully courted tourists, with a record 13.41 million foreigners arriving in 2014.
The October expansion of tax-exempt shopping to include food and cosmetics also added to the pace of store increases. Japanese stores exempting foreigners from the consumption tax are projected to number more than 10,000 next month, hitting a government target five years early. The nation had 9,361 such stores as of last October, up about 60% over six months. With convenience stores and other retailers starting to offer tax-free shopping in hopes of drawing tourists, the tally is certain to reach five figures in April.
